Today the annual collection for Retired Priests is being held. With your help, we can build up the Fund to help meet the future needs of our sick and retired priests. Special envelopes are available. If you use weekly Offertory Envelopes, please can I ask that you write in your envelope number. If you do not have your number or you give by standing order, please write in your name and address. This will enable us to reclaim tax if you have joined the Gift Aid scheme. If you prefer, you can donate online via Paypal to the fund at www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/retired-priests-fund. There are leaflets which explain how to make a regular donation to the Fund by standing order or cheque. I ask that you give as generously as you can to this very worthy cause and express my sincere gratitude for your continued support. With every blessing, +Mark Bishop of Shrewsbury.

Diocese of Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitalite

The Diocese of Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitalite is celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes with mass at 3.30pm on Sunday 10th February at St Hugh and St John RC Church, 314 Manchester Road, Timperley WA14 5NB. (Please use the postcode WA14 5HL for the car park). Mass will be followed by tea, coffee and cake in the parish hall. All are welcome especially member of the Hospitalite and past and current pilgrims.

PPC Meeting

The next PPC Meeting will be held Tues 12th February following Mass at 10am. We will be holding the meeting in the office of the Church presbytery due to the closure of the Church Hall. Please confirm if you wish to attend and any agenda points you wish to be raised to Helen McSherry 01630 638177 or ssthomasandstephen@gmail.com All parishioners are welcome.

CAP Money Course

CAP Money is a free course that teaches people budgeting skills and a simple cash-based money management system. The 3-part course is designed to help people get in control of their finances, so they can save, spend wisely and prevent debt. Dates are Tuesdays 9th, 23rd, 30th April at 7pm at the Parish Rooms. Contact Gill Carley 07855 460655 to book a place.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Volunteer Vacancies

Christians Against Poverty have the following Volunteer vacancies: Community Links Co-Ordinator (PR and promotion of all 4 CAP Services); CAP Office Administrator (basic admin. and communications support); and a ‘CAP Money’ Coach (helping to run a basic budgeting course 2/3 times a year – please note that the training for this is on Saturday 2nd March in Bradford, and Gill Carley is able to offer a lift). All these positions require people who are committed Christians and are willing to attend CAP Head Office in Bradford for full training, after successfully passing CAP’s recruitment & selection process. For further info, please contact Gill Carley by email: gillcarley@capuk.org.

Attention all Gift Aid Donors

The tax year 2018/19 will be coming to an end on 5th April and the Parish will then undertake the process of claiming back the Gift Aid refunds on donations made in the tax year. If your circumstances have changed and you no longer pay income tax (or if for any other reason you do not wish to remain in the Gift Aid Scheme) please contact Helen McSherry on 01630 638177/ ssthomasandstephen@gmail.com by 5th April, otherwise it will be assumed you have paid sufficient income tax for the Parish to reclaim Gift Aid on donations made in the tax year. Please also let us know if you have changed your address.

Market Drayton Foodbank

Thank you for your kind and generous donations, items may be left in the basket in the Church porch or at the Foodbank during one of the sessions – Tuesdays 10-11.30am and Fridays 12.30-2pm. A list of most needed items can be found at: https://marketdrayton.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/. Thank you.